Hangdogging

We've had a few questions regarding our blog address and its meaning.

Hangdog: to slowly work one's way up a climb, bolt by bolt, resting repeatedly and spending significant time hanging on the rope rather than climbing from the deck to the anchors without a rest or fall.....describes my climbing style pretty well. Sarah, on the other hand, has been climbing strong and all her previous work at NHRG really shows through as she's gripping the smallest crimps and placing her feet on the tiniest chips with resounding confidence and placement.

Gossamer

This climb is called Gossamer, a mixed route with both gear placements and bolts, it's located a mile behind the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Sarah is pictured, just starting her rappel down. Despite being a sunny morning, the weather was cool and we were later shutdown due to rain....we're averaging more rainy days than sunny days in SD.

Here is another look at Gossamer, a really neat climb on a granite fin that follows the arete on the right and over the hollowed-out picture window.

Week 1 recap

Putting a few more stickers on Betty's rear end.

 

We would like to add a special thanks to Dana, Megan, & Jim S. for their help in creating the bed frame and mattress-stays, Craig and Stacy with the auxiliary battery and cooking supplies, Jeff and Shari for the power inverter, and Mark and Kathy & Jim and Faye for their help and support in making this sweet trip possible.

 

Adding the finishing touches on the van, our shelving unit. This is how Brent drills :)